Concord Connect

Principal's Report 

Term 1

It is extremely pleasing to report to the school community that the students have experienced an excellent start to the school year. They are busily engaged in learning activities within their classroom and acting responsibly on the playground. 

 

We are so excited that the Presentation Ball will be proceeding for our Year 12 students on the 25th March after it was unable to go ahead in 2021.

Home-School Communication Plan

At the beginning of 2021 a Home-School Communication Plan was developed by the School Council following consultation with the school community. The purpose of this was to ensure effective and consistent communication across the school. Please note that communication is through Compass so it is important that you can log into Compass and are familiar with its functionality. If you require any assistance with Compass, please contact Karen Jordan on 94673972 or Karen.Jordan@education.vic.gov.au or click on Parent Guide to Compass

 

The Home-School Communication Plan is attached below for your reference. If you are not receiving communication from your child’s teacher in accordance with this plan then please contact the teacher in the first instance, or the Team Leader of your child’s section.

 

These are the minimum expectations in regard to Home-School Communication at Concord School.

Communication at Concord School is through Compass https://concordsch-vic.compass.education/

 

To communicate with your child’s teacher click on Send email to Child’s teachers.

 

To also send to other teachers or school leaders click on to add recipients.

 

If your communication is urgent, please ring the school on 94327978 (Watsonia Campus) or 94673972 (Bundoora Campus) 

Parking on Gleeson Drive

It has been brought to my attention that some parents and carers are parking on the nature strips in Gleeson Drive. Please do not do so as it is inconvenient and unsafe for our neighbours. Furthermore, the Council Parking officers are known to issue fines.

 

A reminder, to assist with COVID Safety and address parking issues, arrangements are in place to pick up students at the Bundoora Campus at the end of the school day.

 

These arrangements are:

Upper Primary 

Pick up your child at the gate of the back car park at 2.50pm

 

Secondary 7/8 and Secondary 9/10

Parents /carers are requested not to get out of your car. Drive into the front driveway when the buses have left at approximately 3.10pm. Your child will be waiting for you under the supervision of staff.

 

Secondary  11/12 

Pick up your child at the gate of the back car park at 3.00pm

Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund Applications

The Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund helps eligible families to cover the costs of school trips, camps and sporting activities.

 

If you have a valid means-tested concession card, such as a Veterans Affairs Gold Card, Centrelink Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card, or are a temporary foster parent, you may be eligible. There is also a special consideration category for asylum seeker and refugee families.

 

Payment amounts this year are $125 for eligible primary school students and $225 for eligible secondary school. Payments are made direct to the school to use towards expenses relating to camps, excursions and sporting activities for the benefit of your child. 

 

It is important that funding made available in 2022 supports students to participate in school trips, camps and sporting activities this year rather than being held for future years. This funding can also be used in conjunction with any funding accrued from previous years. 

 

If you applied for CSEF through our school last year, you do not need to complete an application form this year, unless there has been a change in your family circumstances.

 

If you would like to apply for the first time, please contact the school office on 94673972 and ask for an application form. 

 

You can also download the form, and find out more about the program and eligibility, on the Department of Education and Training’s Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund web page. Check with the school office if you are unsure, and please return completed forms to the school office as soon as possible.

Concord School Vaccination Clinic

Victorians aged 5-11 years are now eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. To help keep our school community safe, Concord School will be hosting a mini COVID-19 vaccination clinic for all students, staff and their immediate family members. The main purpose of the clinic is to vaccinate our students aged 5-11 however students of all ages and their immediate family members are encouraged to attend for either their first, second or third doses. 

 

The Clinic will be held in our gymnasium at the Bundoora Campus. The dates and times will be: 

First Vaccination Clinic Date: Friday 4th March 2022 Time: 9:00am to 11:00am 

Second Vaccination Clinic Date: Friday 29th April 2022 Time: 9:00am to 11:00am

 

Please refer to my Compass post from earlier in the week for further information including booking details.

Smile Squad Coming to Concord School

All children deserve a healthy smile, and the Smile Squad are coming to Concord School in July and August to help make sure this happens. 

 

Smile Squad is the exciting new State Government program that will provide free, high quality dental care to all Victorian public primary and secondary school students. Smile Squad is set to improve the oral health of more than 650,000 children, saving families both time and money, and all without having to leave the school grounds.

 

Smile Squad dental vans will provide free examinations and treatment including teeth cleaning, fluoride applications, fillings and any other non-cosmetic treatments to make sure our young people have healthy teeth.

 

Smile Squad is staffed by experienced oral health therapists, dental therapists, dental assistants and dentists. They all have extensive experience treating children and a passion for improving their oral health – for life.

 

Learn more about the Smile Squad by visiting www.smilesquad.vic.gov.au or contact the team at smilesquad@dhsv.org.au.

School Council Report

School Council Meeting was held at 7:00pm on Monday 21 February 2022 via Webex in which the following matters were discussed:

 

Welcome  

Welcome back Trish Townsend(Acting Business Manager) who is replacing Samantha Browne whilst on Family Leave

 

COVID Safety Update:

  • Safety measures have been put in place to minimise risk for the Concord school community
  •  A Vaccine Hub will be again offered at Concord School, primarily aimed at 5–11 year aged students, their family and friends in the upcoming weeks at the Bundoora campus. Consent is required and via appointment only. 
  • Concord school is constantly reviewing safe practices and always welcomes parent/carer feedback. 
  • Discussion around supporting students with Covid and/or isolating was held. Processes have been put in place.

Home -School Communication:

  • Discussion was held regarding Home-School Communication.
  • Feedback received on excellent email communication weekly, including photos.
  • Response to emails has been prompt.
  • Reminder to be included in the next Newsletter about the Home- School Communication plan and the avenues where parents can access and communicate their concern.

School Council Elections:

  • Discussions were held regarding the election process. Nominations have been shared with the school community and are required to be received by Monday 28th February at 4pm.

Student Representative Council:

  • Student SRC elections are now occurring from Upper Primary to Secondary Year 11. 
  • Year 12 Captains will be part of the SRC. 
  • Meetings will be held the week prior to School Council meetings.

Concord School and Watsonia P.S Fence Line:

  •  The temporary Fence at Watsonia has been removed to reveal  the new play area, topsoil has been added to ensure the synthetic turf and playground is level. 
  • Students are enjoying the new space, in particular the new hill.

Concord School Building Works:

  • Building Works are on track - tender process now taking place with a Builder appointment to be made shortly. 
  • Watsonia and Bundoora works will occur concurrently, hoping to begin in May 2022 with Watsonia finishing at the end of the year and Bundoora aiming to be completed May 2023. 

Concord Presentation Ball:

  • Year 12 Presentation Ball will go ahead Friday 25th of March with dancing! 
  • Big shout out of thank  Jane and Megan for organising and planning for contingencies if and when they may be required.

Permission to finish early on the last day of each Term:

  • Motion approved that the school finishes at 2:30pm on the last day of terms 1,2 and 3 and 1:30pom on the last day of Term 4 2022

 

Next School Council Meeting: Monday 21st March 2022 7.00pm (2021 AGM @ 6.30pm)

Principal Award - Kiara Manzi

 

Kiara is a wonderful role model to her peers in Upper Primary and always demonstrates the school values. 

 

She is a very caring and kind friend to others, and she has welcomed the new students to her class and to Upper Primary. 

 

Kiara works hard at all she attempts, and her work this year has been high quality.  

 

We are very proud of Kiara’s achievements and look forward to watching her grow throughout 2022.

 

 

Jason Coningsby

Principal